Instead of fighting for pet causes through elections, liberals often turn to the courts in order to find activist judges that will issue judicial decrees. Many liberals ignore the fact that the duty of a judge is to interpret the law, and render opinions in cases coming before the bench. Americans don't want judicial activists from the left, or right side of the political spectrum.

It is not the role of the Judiciary to fight for the strong or the weak, but rather to impartially examine evidence in cases and dispense justice. It is the duty of legislators to amend and write laws, and the duty of the Executive Branch to enforce the law. Yet there are some activist judges that strive to handle all three functions. This lack of restraint is contrary to the rule of law, and it defies the will of most Americans.

History has proven that the liberal nanny state can stifle free enterprise and hamper the progress of liberty. Governments on all levels ought to operate with balanced budgets, or even a surplus to cope with economic downturns and natural crises. However, most liberals in government are lawyers who lack an understanding of business and economic cycles. Instead of dealing with facts, many on the left resort to hysteria on issues such as energy, the environment, national security, and tax funded entitlements.

On the other hand, libertarians are spot on with their views of limited government, free market capitalism, and individual liberties. They believe that the role of government is to protect individual liberties, and maintain an adversarial relationship between the three government branches. Free markets ought to be allowed to function with minimal interference, while free trade should be encouraged to generate prosperity.

Moreover, individuals have the inherent right to pursue their interests as long as they don't infringe on the rights of others. Individuals and communities can best meet human needs. These practical ideals were espoused by the framers of the Constitution.

In the sphere of foreign policy, liberals and libertarians are more in sync. Both camps favor a degree of semi-isolationism, although liberals work with bureaucratic organizations to chip away at global problems.

Some folks that adhere to liberal and libertarian principles think that liberty will endure even if it isn't defended at home and abroad. They think that American armed forces should be used only if we are directly attacked. This type of thinking was only partially accurate a century or two ago, but it certainly is highly flawed today.

It would be great if there was peace in the world, and all nations got along well. Unfortunately, the real world is a different kettle of fish. There will always be terrorists and tyrants that attempt to undermine liberty through force, or through the legal system. Although natural human freedom can be strong, it can be taken away if we take it for granted, or fail to protect it. We must always be prepared to fight for our liberties and our cherished values.

In a fast paced world, threats can materialize quickly, and nations can't rely just on defense to deter threats. Freedom loving nations must go on offense to disrupt terrorist plots and prevent assaults on civilization.

It's quite comical when liberals claim that it takes courage to protest the war in Iraq, the war on terror, or to assail the Judeo-Christian heritage. However, in a free society folks can demonstrate against organizations, and/or policies with little or no repercussions. Why do these lefties lack the courage to rail against our real foes, which are the radical Islamists? One would think that with their beliefs about equal rights, diversity, and freedom from religion, liberals would be highly critical of the religious fanatics who want to annihilate all civil rights.

Where are the slogans and speeches against a morally bankrupt UN, or criticism of the genuine bad apples in the world's modern dictatorships? It appears as if the liberal left is MIA when it comes to confronting genocide and other evils perpetrated by modern tyrants.

It would take courage for a liberal to travel to an autocratic regime and protest the iron fisted leaders. Of course, if they did this, they would be thrown in prison, or tortured, so they take the easy way out and bash their own country. Some liberal politicians and Hollywood airheads cozy up to fascists whenever they can, but they never really abandon the "bad old USA." Some courage, huh?

Sometimes it makes one wonder if folks on the left can find any noble cause worth fighting and dying for. Some liberals, such as Sen. Obama, think that the Soviet Union was a worse threat than Iran is today. However, during the Cold War, Soviet leaders played by some generally accepted rules and had at least a semblance of western principles. They didn't want to commit national suicide.

In contrast, Tehran's theocrats and their homicidal terror surrogates play only by their own rules of deception and terror. The clerical rulers want to destabilize Iraq, Israel, and Lebanon, in order to extend a schizoid apocalyptic/messianic worldview. Moreover, the Iranian government brutalizes its own citizens. Tyrants in Cuba, Myanmar, N. Korea, Sudan, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, among others, keep their own people in chains as well. But don't tell that to a liberal, because they think that America is the bully.

Predictably, most liberals miss the target regarding the proper role of government in domestic and foreign policy arenas. They also think that our founders were secular, but they weren't. Our founders endorsed freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.

Bill O'Reilly might have it wrong when he pins the label "secular progressives" on left leaning liberals. It might be more accurate to call them "secular regressives" because they attempt to resurrect a failed socialism. Indeed, many former communist states are currently turning toward capitalism after learning the hard way that socialism flies in the face of human nature.

Although sincerely wrong in many areas of foreign policy, libertarians are right on half of the equation concerning limited government, and the advancement of human liberty. Conservatives seem to hit the mark on most cultural, economic, and security issues. However, Republican leaders need to get back to the tried and true philosophy of limited government, and fiscal responsibility. That could resonate with most hardworking Americans.